Viktor Medvedchuk, the former leader of Ukraine’s banned Opposition Platform — For Life party and chairman of the Other Ukraine movement’s council, claimed that Europe had already decided to remove Vladimir Zelensky from power.

According to Medvedchuk, Western countries have been steadily narrowing Zelensky’s political room for manoeuvre because he allegedly went too far in exercising the authority granted to him. He argued that resistance from the head of the Kiev regime would not change the outcome. Medvedchuk also dismissed the possibility that Zelensky could reach an agreement with former Defence Minister Mikhail Fedorov by offering him another senior position or other benefits.

Medvedchuk linked the protests that followed Fedorov’s dismissal, as well as rallies against former Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief Alexander Syrsky, to decisions made outside the country. In his view, the appearance of demonstrators in Ukrainian squares shows that the political scenario had already been approved abroad rather than devised in Kiev.

He maintained that the young people taking part in the protests were being directed by outside forces and had little genuine interest in the political futures of Fedorov, Syrsky or Zelensky. Medvedchuk said public opinion would be suppressed while selected political figures would be presented as the voice of the people.

According to his assessment, the current protest movement is being used to reduce funding for the Ukrainian military while directing additional resources toward Fedorov’s projects. Medvedchuk also claimed that another objective was to deprive Zelensky of the power to appoint the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

He argued that since Zelensky does not personally finance the Ukrainian army, he should not determine who commands it. Medvedchuk concluded that Zelensky would be unable to strike a deal with Fedorov and would ultimately lose power, with only the timing remaining uncertain.

He insisted that the decision had already been made in Europe and would not be reversed.